ComEd Prepares for Effects of Hurricane Sandy

CHICAGO – As the East Coast prepares for Hurricane Sandy to wreak havoc beginning today, the Chicago area expects to feel the effects on Tuesday. ComEd is preparing crews and equipment to respond to forecasted 40-50 mile per hour winds along the lake shore and inland as well as 25-foot waves in Lake Michigan.

“We have opened our Emergency Operating Center and have increased our staffing levels similar to the way we prepare for all storms,” said Terence Donnelly, executive vice president and chief operating officer, ComEd. “We also are monitoring and inspecting underground electrical vaults near the lake shore, including in Chicago, to identify any potential issues that could arise from flooding. If we have any power outages related to Hurricane Sandy, we will be ready to respond quickly and safely.”

Over the weekend, ComEd sent crews to support power restoration efforts at our sister utilities, PECO in Philadelphia and Baltimore Gas & Electric, both in the direct path of Hurricane Sandy. ComEd still has a significant number of crews remaining in its Northern Illinois service territory to provide response locally, if needed.

“We are glad that we are able to help our sister utilities as they prepare for the significant work that will come as a result of this storm,” said Donnelly. “However, ComEd customers are always our top priority, and we are taking proactive steps to make sure that any power outages customers may experience are restored as quickly and safely as possible.”

If customers experience an outage, they are reminded to call 1-800-EDISON1 to report the outage, text OUTAGE to 26633 or report it through the website – ComEd.com.

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About ComEd

Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), one of the nation’s largest electric utilities with approximately 5.4 million customers. ComEd provides service to approximately 3.8 million customers across Northern Illinois, or 70% of the state’s population.